Someday World

Underworld’s singer Karl Hyde works well with Brian Eno and co-producer Fred Gibson, bringing authority to the electronics and the polyrhythmic dance moves. Eno alone would never arrive at “Witness,” a shockingly accessible tune that works well with harmony and what sounds like a conventional format on the surface. Guest musicians such as Coldplay’s Will Champion and Eno’s old bandmate from Roxy Music, Andy Mackay add touches. Mackay brings his saxophone into play on the opening track “The Satellites” and on “When I Built This World.” Champion adds electronic drums to “Witness.” The songs each offer a notably different result. “Strip It Down” works off Eno’s spoken vocals, a manic multi-keyboard arrangement and violas and violins by Neil Catchpole. “Mother of a Dog” puts Hyde’s melodious vocal up from with more synths, Hyde’s guitars and Catchpole’s ‘Coda Viola’. Eno is frequently credited with “Foundation,” meaning tapes he had before this project took shape. Surely, Fred Gibson deserves much credit here for his extensive contributions to what shapes up as one of Eno’s finest commercially accessible albums.